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B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 8:01 pm
by greenbean
Anyone know what a B&S 52 mouthpiece is?
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 12:08 pm
by greenbean
I only ask because there appears to be nothing on the web...
This is an older mouthpiece, I think, with a Bach shape. Says only "B&S 52" and has an extremely funnel shaped cup. Just curious what it is comparable to. Anyone?
Thanks in advance.
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:07 pm
by bort
Post a photo!
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 4:47 pm
by bort
Fair enough, good point. Photo might help show what vintage, though.
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 10:04 pm
by greenbean
Attempting to attach a photo or two...
In the meantime, I should include the information that I withheld (age-related lapse). The fellow I obtained this from said it was the only mouthpiece he ever used with his VMI 103 (which he got new in 1996). So, it seems reasonable to assume B&S included this with the 103. (Or perhaps his dad asked them for a recommendation and was provided the 52 when he bought his son the tuba - like all good dads should.)
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2015 11:07 pm
by greenbean
I give up.
I uploaded them here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/1103963392 ... 4XZ8YPQjAE#" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank
The B&S 52 is in the middle. Melton 18 on left and Helleberg 7B on right. The only other mouthpieces I own to which I can compare it.
Bloke, the 52 has a total width of 1/16th inch shy of 2 inches. The other 2 are 1/8th inch shy of 2 inches. The 52 rim is wider so the internal diameter seems about the same - perhaps a hair wider - as the others. But it is much deeper than the others - which are roughly similar.
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2015 1:49 pm
by greenbean
This seems like a good explanation. It is surprising how incompatible the outside shape of the mouthpiece is and deep, deep funnel of the inside are.
Whatever its history/inspiration, it plays surprisingly well. I assumed it would be way too deep for my level of chop development, but it works pretty well for me.
Re: B&S 52 mpc specs?
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2015 12:53 am
by greenbean
bloke wrote:To me, the Holton 52/Conn Chief/Conn 2 and similar mouthpieces, sonically, remind me of a bass guitar plugged into an amplifier with the treble turned all the way down and the bass turned all the way up.
...
Your description couldn't be better. It is like it has no higher partials at all. Quite boring. I will say, though, it makes for seriously easy low range playing.
On a more up-note, a new TU-29 arrived in the mail today. I have a Mirafone 186 and figured I should give it a shot since it was, I believe, supplied with these horns. Now that one plays well! Anyway, I think the B&S 52 will be taking up space in a shoebox for now...
Thanks for the help.